Are you planning on incorporating watermelons into your Pre-K student’s lesson plans? Have you already selected a handful of stories to go with the unit? If not, you may want to consider using one of the following books:
“One Watermelon Seed”
Celia Lottridge’s book “One Watermelon Seed” is definitely worthy of consideration. Its storyline focuses on two children that plant a watermelon and other items. In my experience, it works well as an introduction into a math activity. I’d also suggest pairing it with Hannah Tofts’ book “One Cool Watermelon.” Its storyline lends itself to counting activities too.
“Watermelon for Everyone”
If you ask me, Martha Rose Woodward’s book “Watermelon for Everyone” would be perfect as an introduction to a science unit. It would also pair well with Julie Murray’s “Watermelon Life Cycles.” Both focus on how a watermelon grows.
“Watermelon Day”
Speaking of growing watermelons, there are several fictional books that cover the same topic. One of them is Kathi Appelt’s “Watermelon Day.” Its storyline focuses on a child who is anxiously anticipating the day that her homegrown watermelons are ready to be harvested. The book also contains good illustrations.
“Watermelon Wishes”
Lisa Moser’s “Watermelon Wishes” is another amusing book to consider. Its storyline focuses on a grandfather and his grandson. The two decide to plant watermelons together and it sparks a discussion about wishes. You could feasibly pair it with an art activity.
For example, you could have the children draw what they would wish for onto a watermelon cut-out. Afterward, you could connect the cut-outs together with green yarn and suspend them from the ceiling in your classroom’s dramatic play area.
If you do decide to go that route, there is a mobile template located on the National Watermelon Promotion Board’s website. You could use it to create the watermelon cut-outs. There are also watermelon coloring sheets on the Twisty Noodle website that you could use as a part of the mobile as well.
“Grandma Baba’s Magic Watermelon!”
Wakiko Sato’s book “Grandma Baba’s Magic Watermelon!” would make a great story time read too. Its storyline focuses on a woman’s watermelon garden that seems to have a mind of its own. You could feasibly pair it with another funny book like Daniel Hahn’s “Happiness is a Watermelon on Your Head”, Jackie French Koller’s “Peter Spit a Seed at Sue” or Greg Pizzoli’s “The Watermelon Seed.”
“Chestnut Cove”
Tim Egan’s book “Chestnut Cove” also made my list of recommendations. Its storyline focuses on a group of fictional characters that hope to grow the best watermelon in the land. You may want to consider pairing it Pamela Hickman’s book “A Seed Grows: My First Look at a Plant’s Life Cycle” for a bit of realism.
“Icy Watermelon”
Lastly, you may want to consider reading Mary Sue Galindo’s book “Icy Watermelon.” Its storyline focuses on a Spanish speaking family that has a history of growing watermelons. The book has both Spanish and English words. Thus, you may want to think about taking the opportunity to teach the children the Spanish word for “watermelon.”
There is a bilingual watermelon worksheet posted on the Education website that would be helpful in that regard. You could pair the worksheet with homemade, bilingual word cards. The School Express website has a program that will help you make them. Vocabulary words to consider using are vine (vid), plant (planta), seed (semilla), garden (jardin) and family (familia).
Source: Personal Experience
More from this contributor:
Southern Pennsylvania’s Disc Golf Spots: Where to Go This Summer
Canning Fresh Fruit: What You Need to Know to Get Started
How to Host a Watermelon Seed Spitting Contest
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